Collapsible support frame for furniture
A collapsible support frame includes a plurality of segmented legs pivotally connected to an inner surface of a collar, and are held together by an elastic cord. The legs pivot between a folded and a deployed position. In the folded position, the legs segments form a bundle to facilitate storage or transport. Portions of the legs segments may seat within leg seats formed in the outer surface of the collar. In the deployed position, the legs pivot to contact leg support seats formed at angles in an inner surface of the collar. After contact, each leg extends in a different direction supported by its respective leg support seat. The elastic cord provides tension that keeps the leg segments together in the deployed position, and prevents the leg segments from becoming lost or separated in the folded position.
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This application is a Continuation-In-Part application of, and claims priority from, U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/414,326 filed Apr. 28, 2006. The '326 application, which is entitled “Collapsible Support Frame For Furniture,” is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
TECHNICAL FIELDThe present invention relates generally to collapsible frame structures, and more particularly to collapsible frame structures comprising a plurality of separable frame members held together by an internal cord or cable.
BACKGROUNDCollapsible frame structures comprising a plurality of frame members that are joined end-to-end and held together by a flexible cord or cable are known. For example, U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,557,572; 4,827,958; 4,706,696 disclose tent poles comprising pole sections held together by an elastic cord. The individual pole sections can be separated and folded over to form a compact bundle for storage. The elastic cord pulls the individual frame members together to facilitate assembly. Similar frame systems may be found in other types of devices as shown by U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,038,802 (portable displays); 4,215,877 (folding utility carts); and 6,062,648 (folding chairs). Frame structures that rely on an elastic cord to hold the individual sections together are often times cumbersome to assemble. Further, they are limited in the loads that can be supported.
SUMMARYThe present invention relates to a collapsible support frame comprising a plurality of segmented legs pivotally connected to an inner surface of a collar, and held together by an elastic cord. The legs are pivotable between a folded position and a deployed position and attach to the interior of the collar at respective pivot points. In the folded position, the legs segments are folded into a bundle to facilitate storage or transport, for example. Portions of the legs segments may seat within leg seats formed in the outer surface of the collar. In the deployed position, the legs pivot about respective pivot axes until they contact leg support seats formed at angles in an inner surface of the collar. After contact, each leg extends in a different direction and is supported by its respective leg support seat. The elastic cord provides tension that keeps the leg segments together in the deployed position, and prevents the leg segments from becoming lost or separated in the folded position.
In one embodiment, the inner surface of the collar comprises one or more integrally formed stops proximate each leg support seat. The stops may be formed in pairs, for example, and are positioned such that each pair is associated with a corresponding leg. Particularly, one stop of each pair is disposed on one side of a corresponding leg, while the other stop of each pair is disposed on the other side of the leg. Additionally, the stops are also formed such that one of the stops is above the pivot axis for the leg while the other stop is below the pivot axis for the leg. The stops are configured to prevent their corresponding leg segments from pivoting beyond a predetermined point when the leg segments are folded into a bundle.
Referring now to the drawings, the figures illustrate an exemplary collapsible support frame indicated generally by the numeral 10. In the disclosed embodiment, the support frame 10 is used for a collapsible stool. The support frame 10 is configured to facilitate folding and deployment of the stool. In a deployed position (
An elastic cord 24 such as a bungee cord, for example, extends interiorly through each segment 12a-c. The opposing ends of the elastic cord 24 are bound to respective end caps 26 sized to fit within the open ends of segments 12a, 12c. The elastic cord 24 facilitates assembly of the support frame 10 by pulling the individual segments 12a-c together. Particularly, the tendency of the elastic cord 24 is to retract. This pulls the individual segments 12a-c together such that the extensions 22 insert into the ends of the adjacent segments 12a, 12c. The elastic cord 24 also holds the individual segments 12a-c loosely together when the support frame 10 is folded for storage or transport so that the parts will not be separated and lost.
The head 30 comprises a generally arcuate surface. In this embodiment, head 30 is sized to have substantially the same or slightly greater circumference than the outer circumference of the tubular segment 12a, 12c to which it attaches. This prohibits the elastic cord 24, which is under tension, from pulling the end cap 26 within the segment 12a, 12c. The head 30 also functions as a foot that contacts the underlying ground surface to provide stability to the support frame 10.
The outer surface 42 is formed to include a concave outer leg seats 52 disposed between each straight segment 48. The outer leg seats 52 are shaped to generally conform to the contour of the tubular segments 12a, 12c. In the folded position, the segments 12a, 12c may fit within the outer leg seats 52. This aligns the segments 12a, 12c in generally the same direction, which facilitates maintaining the folded support frame 10 as compact as possible.
The inner surface 44 of the collar 14 comprises three contoured leg support seats 54; one for each leg 12. The leg support seats 54 contact and support the legs 12 when the support frame 10 is in the deployed position. Each leg support seat 54 comprises an angled surface that conforms to the shape of the leg segment 12b, and extends through the collar at a different angle. When the support frame 10 moves from the folded position to the deployed position, each leg segment 12b pivots about the mechanical fastener extending through opening 50 until it contacts the angled surface of a respective leg support seat 54. After contacting the angled surface, each leg 12 will extend in a different direction supported by a leg support seat 54.
The leg support seats 54 may be formed using any means known in the art. By way of example, the leg support seats 54 may be formed by drilling or milling a block of material. Alternatively, the entire collar 14 may be formed by casting or molding.
To place the support frame in the folded position, a user pivots the legs 12 such that the legs 12 are generally parallel to each other (
It should be noted that the above embodiments describe the legs 12 as comprising three segments 12a-c; however, those skilled in the art will appreciate that more or fewer segments may be employed as needed or desired. In addition, the segments 12a-c need not be circular in cross-section, but may be any shape desired. The collar 14 would be formed such that the outer leg seats 52 and/or the leg support seats 54 conform to the shape of the leg segments 12a-c.
In this embodiment, the stops 60, 62, and 64 are formed in pairs with each stop projecting from the inner surface 44 adjacent a respective leg support seat 54. For example, stop 62 comprises a first stop 62a and a second stop 62b. The first stop 62a is integrally formed with the inner surface 44 adjacent leg support seat 54a such that it is positioned on one side of a corresponding leg 12. The second stop 62b is integrally formed with the inner surface 44 adjacent a corresponding leg seat 54b such that it is positioned on the other side of the leg 12. Additionally, the first and second stops 62a, 62b are also formed such that one stop 62a lies above the pivot axis p and the other stop 62b lies below the pivot axis p. This placement of the stops 62 prevents the over-rotation of their corresponding legs 12 when they move to the folded position.
Those skilled in the art will recognize that the collapsible stool described herein represents only one exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The support frame 10 that is the basis for the collapsible stool can be also used in an almost endless variety of structures. Such structures include, but are not limited to, chairs and tables. Further, one of the embodiments illustrates pairs of stops formed on the inner surface of the collar. However, pairs of stops are not required and the present invention may comprise collars having only a single stop.
Therefore, the present invention may be carried out in ways other than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.
Claims
1. A collapsible frame structure comprising:
- a collar having a sidewall that surrounds a central opening, the sidewall including an inner surface and an outer surface;
- a plurality of legs, each leg extending through the central opening and pivotally attached to the inner surface of the collar to be movable between a folded position and an deployed position;
- contoured leg support seats formed in the inner surface of the collar to contact and support the legs in the deployed position; and
- a plurality of stops formed on the inner surface of the collar to contact a leg when the leg pivots to the folded position to prevent the leg from pivoting beyond a predetermined point within the central opening when the leg moves to the folded position.
2. The frame structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of stops comprise first and second projections integrally formed on the inner surface of the collar and adjacent the contoured leg support seats.
3. The frame structure of claim 2 wherein the first and second projections are formed on opposite sides of a leg above and below a pivot axis about which the leg pivots between the folded position and the deployed position.
4. The frame structure of claim 1 wherein the plurality of stops project from the inner surface of the collar and are sized to space the leg away from the inner surface of the collar when the legs are in the folded position.
5. The frame structure of claim 4 wherein the plurality of stops are contoured to the shape of the legs.
6. The frame structure of claim 1 wherein the contoured leg support seats comprise angled surfaces that receive the legs in the deployed position.
7. The frame structure of claim 6 wherein the contoured leg support seats conform to the shape of the legs.
8. The frame structure of claim 1 wherein each leg comprises a plurality of interconnecting segments.
9. The frame structure of claim 8 further comprising an elastic cord extending interiorly through the segments to pull the segments together when the legs move to the deployed position.
10. The frame structure of claim 9 further comprising contoured leg seats formed in the outer surface of the collar to contact one or more of the interconnecting segments when the legs are disassembled in the folded position.
11. A collapsible frame structure comprising:
- a collar having a sidewall that surrounds a central opening, the sidewall including an inner surface and an outer surface;
- a plurality of legs, each leg extending through the central opening and pivotally attached to the inner surface of the collar to be movable between a folded position and an deployed position; and
- a plurality of stops formed on the inner surface of the collar to contact a leg when the leg pivots to the folded position to prevent the leg from pivoting beyond a predetermined point within the central opening when the leg moves to the folded position.
12. The frame structure of claim 11 further comprising contoured leg seats formed in the outer surface of the collar to contact one or more interconnecting segments of the legs when the legs are disassembled in the folded position.
13. The frame structure of claim 11 further comprising a flexible seat attached to the legs, and a flexible strap attached to the legs.
14. The frame structure of claim 11 further comprising contoured leg support seats formed in the inner surface of the collar to contact and support the legs in the deployed position.
15. The frame structure of claim 14 wherein the contoured leg support seats comprise angled support seats that receive the legs in the deployed position.
16. The frame structure of claim 11 wherein the stop comprises first and second members integrally formed on the inner surface of the collar.
17. The frame structure of claim 16 wherein the first and second stops are formed on opposite sides of a leg above and below a pivot axis about which the leg pivots between the folded position and the deployed position.
18. The frame structure of claim 11 wherein the plurality of stops project from the inner surface of the collar and are sized to space the leg away from the inner surface of the collar when the legs are in the folded position.
19. The frame structure of claim 18 wherein the plurality of stops are contoured to the shape of the legs.
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Type: Grant
Filed: May 6, 2008
Date of Patent: Jul 6, 2010
Patent Publication Number: 20080203804
Assignee: (Rocky Mount, NC)
Inventors: Frederick K. Park (Rocky Mount, NC), Paul Bradley Forrest (Cary, NC)
Primary Examiner: Rodney B White
Attorney: Coats & Bennett, P.L.L.C.
Application Number: 12/115,920
International Classification: A47C 1/12 (20060101);